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Preston boss Ferguson gets touchline ban

LONDON (AFP) - Preston North End manager Darren Ferguson was handed a three-match touchline ban by the Football Association on Thursday after admitting a charge of improper conduct.

Ferguson, the son of Manchester United boss Alex, was charged with improper conduct aggravated by insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour for his conduct towards referee Kevin Friend in the tunnel following Preston's 4-3 loss away to north-west rivals Burnley in the second-tier Championship last weekend.

He was also fined 4,000 pounds at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Ferguson, speaking to the media after Preston's defeat by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, said: "I have apologised to the FA and also to the referee.

"I'm only 38, I'm still learning myself, and I lost my temper. I know I was out of order."

The ban will begin this weekend when Preston host Norwich at Deepdale on Saturday aiming to improve on a record of five defeats in six games so far.